The First AI

(0:00) Pre-Show

(1:34) Open

(1:47) National Doorbell Day

(2:15) cj's week: Parent-Teacher Conference

(3:11) Jeff's Week: Dodgers & Doorbells

(3:43) Headline: Ban on Chinese tech so broad, US-made cars would be blocked, Polestar says

(10:08) Headline: Russian Court Wants Google to Cough Up $2x10^34

(11:25) Advanced Technology: Artificial Light

(39:28) cj’s recommendation: SMB3 100% Speed Runs

(42:51) Jeff’s Recommendation: The Donut King

Every technological advancement stands on the shoulders of the tech that came before it.  Certainly, today’s AI would not exist if not for the boom in computing over the past half-century.  

Of course, before computing could exist, electricity needed standardized generation and ubiquitous delivery mechanisms.  Surely the flowing of electrons must be one of the earliest technological marvels, taken for granted, that enabled today’s AI.

But in this episode, the guys look at an even earlier technology that we rarely, if ever, give thought to - artificial light.  Relatively speaking we have spent a very brief portion of our existence as a species utilizing light from non-solar sources.  When we realized the sheer volume of technological development completed under the glow of artificial light, we knew we had to talk about it.

But before we explore sesame oil lamps and delicious tallow candles, what would Nonsense be without some banned Chinese technology drama, and more Google fines (this time with extra zeros!)

Headlines

Ban on Chinese tech so broad, US-made cars would be blocked, Polestar says - Ars Technica

Atlas Goes Hands On

Boston Dynamics’ new video shows that its humanoid robot doesn’t need a human - The Verge

Russian Court Wants Google to Cough Up $2x10^34  

Segment

Genius and blood: How cheap light transformed civilization

Timeline of lighting technology - Wikiwand

Gas lighting - Wikiwand

Close

The History of Super Mario Bros 3 100% World Records

'The Donut King' Documentary Trailer

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